'I want to turn the clock back': Leeds plastics firm fined after two workers lose fingers in just ten days

Commercial Lines Limited, which trades as HLN Supplies, pleaded guilty to charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following two unrelated incidents in August 2024 – both caused by unsafe machinery.

Grandmother Angela Morrison lost her middle finger after an incident on August 12 that year, and another finger will now need to be amputated due to serious damage.

Later that month, a 57-year-old man had parts of his fingers amputated when his left hand came into contact with the blade of a table saw he was using to cut small strips of plastic.

Mrs Morrison, who was 61 at the time of the accident, was attempting to clear a blockage on a sanding machine. The plastics fabricator reached into a ventilation port, and her hand came in contact with a large metal rotating disk, resulting in severe damage to the fingers on her right hand.

The grandmother-of-eight, who had worked for the company for 28 years, said she was initially in shock and could not feel any pain, but was operated on within an hour of being rushed into hospital.

Doctors needed to remove what was left of her middle finger, with another finger being seriously damaged.

“They are also going to remove a portion of what is left of my middle finger to make it look better,” she said.

“I am naturally right-handed so everything is now much more difficult. You don’t notice it until you go and do something and then you realise you can’t. Little things like opening the oven or getting out change in my purse.

“My grandchildren were a bit afraid and squeamish of my injuries at first but they soon got used to it. There are things I can’t do for them that I would like to, such as doing my granddaughter’s hair.

“When I think about the accident, I just keep thinking ‘if only it didn’t happen’ or if I’d done something differently. I just want to turn the clock back.

“I have been off work since, but my long-term hope is to get back to work, even if it’s an office job.”

On August 22, the second worker sustained serious injuries when his left hand came into contact with the blade of a table saw he was using to cut small strips of plastic.

The 57-year-old lost part of the finger above the knuckle on his index finger and required surgery to remove the top of his middle finger several days later.

A HSE investigation found the company had failed to provide adequate guarding on the sanding machine, allowing dangerous parts to be easily accessible.

Table saw training had been insufficient, and no safe work systems were in place when cutting small materials. The company also failed to have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment in place for the work being carried out, the investigation found.

Commercial Lines Limited (T/A HLN Supplies), of Upper Accommodation Road, Leeds, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and regulation 3(1) The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

The company was fined £16,000 and was ordered to pay a further £6,534 in costs at Leeds Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday, March 26).

HSE Inspector Gavin Carruthers said: “For this company to have not one but two completely avoidable incidents in such a short time shows systemic health and safety failings.

“Both workers have been left with injuries that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The fact one of those hurt was a much-love grandmother who had worked at the company for nearly three decades makes these failings all the more stark.

“If proper guarding, training, and safe systems of work had been in place than these two workers would not have sustained such life-changing injuries.

“HSE will take action when companies fail in their duties to keep workers safe.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Arfaq Nabi and paralegal officer Zara Salman.